Campgrounds surrounding Florida, Massachusetts sit at elevations between 1,000-3,500 feet in the northern Berkshire Mountains. The region's seasonal temperature swings can be dramatic, with summer highs typically reaching the mid-80s and winter lows dropping well below freezing. Most sites have tree coverage providing natural shade, though winter campers need to check which facilities remain open as several campgrounds operate only from May through October.
What to do
Hike Mt. Olga Trail: The 1.7-mile round trip trail at Molly Stark State Park leads to a fire tower with panoramic mountain views. "There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," notes Tara S.
Kayak on Woodford Reservoir: The small mountain lake at Woodford State Park offers peaceful paddling opportunities away from crowds. "We drove down to the second loop and parked on the side of the campground road and carried our kayaks down to the camper's beach. Our dog loved getting a little swim!" shares Melissa S.
Visit nearby museums: The area offers cultural attractions within short driving distance of campsites. "We selected this site because we wanted to visit Mass MOCA, which was nearby," writes Judy R. about Historic Valley Campground, making it an excellent base for exploring North Adams' museums and galleries.
Fish in local waterways: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing opportunities in stocked ponds and natural waterways. "The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around," mentions Megin F. from her experience at Prospect Mountain Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Fernwood Forest Campground offers well-spaced sites with natural barriers. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet," reports Rebecca B.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms and common areas. "The bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great. The pool was cold, but really nice and again very clean," writes Rebecca L. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating opportunities are available at several locations. "There is a small reservoir with a little beach that you can swim or kayak/canoe in. There's a bunch of fish and other little creatures so it's fun to explore," mentions Jenny A. about her experience at Woodford State Park.
Family activities: Scheduled events keep younger campers entertained. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," says Sandra S. about Prospect Mountain Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or non-existent cell coverage. "No cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," writes Brittany B. about Jamaica State Park.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate from May to October. "This park is close to my house in southern Vermont... The hike up Mt. Olga is 1.7 miles (round trip)," mentions Tara S., who visits Jamaica State Park Campground during warmer months.
Wildlife encounters: Black bears are active in the region, requiring proper food storage. "The bear lockers are roomy and clean and could double as storage to keep items out of the rain (highly recommend reviewing being 'bear aware' as we had a sighting in our neighboring site," warns Heidi R. about Mt. Greylock State Reservation.
Terrain challenges: The mountainous setting creates some steep areas within campgrounds. "The campground has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking," explains Kim R.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from roads: For safety with children, select interior campsites. "The road is a loop but shares a long stretch of where traffic goes in both directions. It made for a busy road and made me a little nervous with the kids being on the road," cautions Kim R. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Check for playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures for younger visitors. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," notes Fransheska A. about Jamaica State Park.
Consider animal interactions: Some campgrounds have domestic animals roaming freely. "While the campground is pet friendly, a warning about free roaming chickens would have been nice. I would not have brought my (prey driven) dogs if I had known there were free roaming chickens," warns Allie about her stay at Dorset RV Park.
Research water safety: Waterfront sites may require extra supervision for children. "The reservoir is beautiful—plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming," mentions Melissa S., though parents should note most natural water bodies lack lifeguards.
Tips from RVers
Verify site dimensions: Many rv sites near Florida, Massachusetts have tight clearances for larger rigs. "Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver. I don't think campground staff is familiar with their own campground and that larger rigs are likely to have issue in this loop," warns Katie E. about her experience at Dorset RV Park.
Check hookup placements: Some rv camping sites near Florida require extended hoses or cords. "One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups," advises Stephen R. about Historic Valley Campground.
Be prepared for uneven sites: Leveling equipment is essential at many campgrounds. "Our site was level but some definitely were not," notes Nancy W. about her RV setup at Dorset RV Park, highlighting the variable terrain common in mountain campgrounds.
Follow specific arrival directions: Local knowledge beats GPS navigation in this mountainous region. "Dolores had great communication with us, and we should have followed her written email instructions rather than rely upon the Get Directions link which took us to the wrong location," advises Connie C. about her experience reaching Krawczyk Farm.
